Good starter car for a newly licensed 16 year old?

[alkemyst]

As I tried to write - I wouldn't buy her a Miata. I would buy a third car for the family, and they she (and then my other daughter) can use it. Heck - I'll probably just call it my car. Win-win I want one now, but it is hard to justify since I don't drive to work, they are still young and therefore we can rarely use a two seater.

Is your daughter not going to be working at 16?

 

[alkemyst]

OP, have you looked at "Best cars $10,000" on google?

Some good ideas in there.

$12-13k is an excellent budget for a first car.

 

[mvbighead]

Your first car can set the stage for your life. No different in sending your kids to school in cheap clothes. The ones the dress the part, end up playing the part in their lives.

If you are not in a circle of people with decent financial means then it doesn't make much difference. However, the kid in that circle that gets a beater will be quickly shunned.

It's no different than later in life.

This is the biggest crock of crap I have ever read from you.

The guys that stood out in my school... hmm, they drove a beat to crap Ford Ranger, a beat to crap Ford F150, a beat to crap 80s Camaro, a beat to crap Chevy Z71, etc. etc. The two guys that drove nicer vehicles were no more popular or accepted than the guys driving the other cars I mentioned.

In any case, the person they are sets the stage for their life. No one in school was judged solely based on their car or clothes.

 

[Ferzerp]

This is the biggest crock of crap I have ever read from you.

The guys that stood out in my school... hmm, they drove a beat to crap Ford Ranger, a beat to crap Ford F150, a beat to crap 80s Camaro, a beat to crap Chevy Z71, etc. etc. The two guys that drove nicer vehicles were no more popular or accepted than the guys driving the other cars I mentioned.

In any case, the person they are sets the stage for their life. No one in school was judged solely based on their car or clothes.

His old way of trolling got shut down finally. He's just looking for a new angle is all. Just ignore it.

 

[alkemyst]

This is the biggest crock of crap I have ever read from you.

The guys that stood out in my school... hmm, they drove a beat to crap Ford Ranger, a beat to crap Ford F150, a beat to crap 80s Camaro, a beat to crap Chevy Z71, etc. etc. The two guys that drove nicer vehicles were no more popular or accepted than the guys driving the other cars I mentioned.

In any case, the person they are sets the stage for their life. No one in school was judged solely based on their car or clothes.

I said if you were surrounded by people of means it does.

Put it this way to make if more clear. Kids judge each other harshly. It's why you just don't send you kids in cheap clothes to school.

When they are older and your kid is told they cannot come over since their car ruins the driveway, that even sets their playing field more uneven.

You can believe what you want. The OP is doing the right thing helping a relative that's being prepared with a realistic budget to by a car that is safe and reliable.

At my high school most kids from my neighborhood (we had to be bused to a cesspool for race adjustment) all had newer cars...mostly 3-4 year old $20k+ cars.

It sucks for the kid that didn't have that kind of priviledge and they were not getting invited to any of the parties. In fact if they showed up at just a field party, they'd usually be beaten up.

That's the reality of life, you can pretend that sending your kid to school in fake air jordans and some wranglers doesn't matter, but it does.

 

[alkemyst]

His old way of trolling got shut down finally. He's just looking for a new angle is all. Just ignore it.

What the F are you talking about? Consult a moderator if you have issues!

 

[SpatiallyAware]

His old way of trolling got shut down finally. He's just looking for a new angle is all. Just ignore it.

So much of this. Ignore him.

 

[alkemyst]

So much of this. Ignore him.

SEE THE MODS, DON'T TROLL A THREAD!

Really, I have seen it all now here. You guys are so pissed that someone is going to spend $12k on a first car and now even claiming that I am wrong in kids don't really judge other kids on the clothes and cars they drive?

You guys are so unrealistic.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

SEE THE MODS, DON'T TROLL A THREAD!

Really, I have seen it all now here. You guys are so pissed that someone is going to spend $12k on a first car and now even claiming that I am wrong in kids don't really judge other kids on the clothes and cars they drive?

You guys are so unrealistic.

No. The thread is about what is a good first car for a kid. You are the one derailing the thread insisting that the first car will "make the person who they are". That is a discussion outside the scope of this thread made it an attempt to derail and send it spiraling down.

It's a topic suited for OT not ATG - so why don't you go make a post in OT instead of sending this thread down the tubes?


/back to ignoring Alky.

 

[mvbighead]

I said if you were surrounded by people of means it does.

Put it this way to make if more clear. Kids judge each other harshly. It's why you just don't send you kids in cheap clothes to school.

When they are older and your kid is told they cannot come over since their car ruins the driveway, that even sets their playing field more uneven.

You can believe what you want. The OP is doing the right thing helping a relative that's being prepared with a realistic budget to by a car that is safe and reliable.

At my high school most kids from my neighborhood (we had to be bused to a cesspool for race adjustment) all had newer cars...mostly 3-4 year old $20k+ cars.

It sucks for the kid that didn't have that kind of priviledge and they were not getting invited to any of the parties. In fact if they showed up at just a field party, they'd usually be beaten up.

That's the reality of life, you can pretend that sending your kid to school in fake air jordans and some wranglers doesn't matter, but it does.

Lol. Clothes and vehicles are two separate issues, first and foremost. About all most kids would really consider is cleanliness. IE - If a kid was consistently showing up in ratty, dingy, smelly clothes, he would be out cast to some degree.

As to cars, uh, pretty sure a 2-5k dollar vehicle doesn't ultimately leak oil and everything other thing you described. Hell, my first car was an 88 Chevy Beretta. Car was perfectly reliable, leaked no fluids, and ran just fine. I think that one set me back just under 2k. And I would have to say no one really gave a shit about what anyone else was driving.

Your remarks are about as far to one extreme as they possibly can be. Ultimately, there are 1000s of vehicles out there in every region that are safe, reliable, and decent shape, and run no more than 2-5k bucks. Hell, the 03 Impala recommendation I made fits and I strongly doubt a vehicle of that age and 150k or so miles is going to be ruining driveways when properly maintained. Hell, I can throw that into CL every day of the week in my area and come up with a dozen or more recent results.

The main gist of everyone's point here is that spending 10-12k on a CHILD's car is a careless "investment." And to even suggest that driving a 5-10 year old vehicle is somehow going to affect the CHILD's development is mind numbing. The only development aspect that'll affect is how the CHILD begins to think future needs will be handled by his/her parents.

Granted, if the kid's mom has the clear funds for it, I suppose why not. But considering she is driving around in a 2000 model vehicle, I would like to think she doesn't have 12k just sitting around to throw at a vehicle for her CHILD.

 

[alkemyst]

The op has a 12-13k budget. I am sure they will have insurance.

Everyone is reasoning by what they got stuck with or can afford.

I am the only one getting that it seems and trying to explain why.

 

[alkemyst]

Also a 16 year old is a bit different than a CHILD.

If you are planning your CHILD is going to wreck/do stupid things; they shouldn't be driving!

That 5,000 car is going to be hitting someone else's worth far more in value and personally.

 

[mvbighead]

Also a 16 year old is a bit different than a CHILD.

If you are planning your CHILD is going to wreck/do stupid things; they shouldn't be driving!

That 5,000 car is going to be hitting someone else's worth far more in value and personally.

Not really. A 16 year old still lives at home with mom and dad in 99% of scenarios. A 16 year old is not making a living and putting food on the table or bringing income into the household. They are also not roaming around freely in most cases.

They are most definitely still a child in that regard, and their direction is, at that point, still quite strongly influenced by their parents.

As for the 5000 car hitting someone else's more valuable car, what point does that make? And just how accurate is that? Driving around, I see about a 50/50 proportion of new/er to used/greatly used vehicles. Essentially there are about 50 0-3 year old cars to every 50 4-10 year old cars. What the driver hits isn't the point. It's the car they own that is going to be of concern, as insurance will handle the other driver as well as the kid's vehicle. But if one were to invest 3k in a car that is essentially deemed disposable, a parent could opt for lesser coverage (IE - liability only) to minimize expenses for a car that will essentially be used to learn the skill of driving.

 

[alkemyst]

The op is not looking for disposable cars.

 

[MaxFusion16]

The op is not looking for disposable cars.

the OP is looking for suggestions, and most people here are suggesting CHEAP cars, it's just a first car for a 16 year, it's NOT a status symbol, it's NOT for showing off, it's NOT for street racing, it just needs to roll on 4 wheel.

what's your suggestion? e46 m3?

 

[mvbighead]

"Essentially deemed disposable." IE - If the kid wreaks havoc on the car, they will be out little cash if they don't invest a large amount up front.

Also, not seeing where that was specifically stated by the OP.

A "disposable" car is probably the best option for a first time driver. No sense buying them something nice that is more likely to be damaged than something the mom herself drives.

 

[alkemyst]

If you are thinking your kid's car is disposable, they shouldn't be on the road with non-disposable ones. This is entitlement mentality at it's finest.

Teach your kid responsibility and insure the vehicle.

Chances are a $5,000 car is going to be a lot less safe than a $12-13k car. Of course if your kids are disposable too, then carry on.

 

[mvbighead]

what's your suggestion? e46 m3?

Well you wouldn't want the kid getting pummeled for driving a Ford Taurus now would you?

 

[alkemyst]

the OP is looking for suggestions, and most people here are suggesting CHEAP cars, it's just a first car for a 16 year, it's NOT a status symbol, it's NOT for showing off, it's NOT for street racing, it just needs to roll on 4 wheel.

what's your suggestion? e46 m3?

An e46 at 12-13k would be a poor choice. A BMW would make a great safe and practical first car though, so would an Accord or a Camry.

 

[ss284]

A BMW would make a great safe and practical first car though...

LOL

 

[mvbighead]

If you are thinking your kid's car is disposable, they shouldn't be on the road with non-disposable ones. This is entitlement mentality at it's finest.

Teach your kid responsibility and insure the vehicle.

Chances are a $5,000 car is going to be a lot less safe than a $12-13k car. Of course if your kids are disposable too, then carry on.

Lol...

You can teach a kid responsibility with a 2k dollar car just as easily as you can with a 10k dollar car. The difference is how much it affects YOUR pocket book.

My thought process is that no CHILD should drive a vehicle worth 10 grand because no CHILD has enough driving experience to be trusted with one.

As for being less safe, well, if you're and idiot and you don't know what you are looking for, that can certainly be the case. However, countless individuals have recommended a number of reliable/safe models that are well below the 10k dollar mark. A 3k crown vic is going to demolish a 10k dollar Yaris. With that in mind, the dollar value holds no part in the safety equation.

Kids are not disposable. A safe car does not start at a sticker price of 10k dollars. A 2k dollar vehicle can be insured. Are you this dense or are you just playing your part of being a troll?

Educated decisions typically result in a better outcome than simply saying, well the OP wanted to spend 10k on a 16 year old so by all means that is the smartest way to pursue this topic. Instead, others have suggested not spending that amount on a first car. I grew up with two brothers. Both have wrecked vehicles in their first 2 years of driving. I have put vehicles in ditches, but fortunately escaped any major accidents in my early driving years. But the reality is, an accident is extremely likely for a 16 yo, and thus insurance rates rise because of it. If insurers are charging more for individuals without driving experience, should the parents also do their part and minimize their likelihood of major expense by giving them a reliable beater to learn with as a first step? There are plenty of reliable 2k-5k dollar cars out there. One need only look.

 

[alkemyst]

You have to be very lucky finding a 3-5k car that isn't a maintenance nightmare. Some people have more time than others. Others just want to pay to play.

Regardless of your opinion...the OP is looking in the 12-13k range, which in my opinion is a good budget.

One of my best friends in high school had a 1985.5 Supra as a first car (same year they came out) then a 328 Ferrari, 930 Porsche Turbo, a Testarossa, and a couple high end crotch rockets. All by the time he graduated. He didn't wreck any. Although he ended up pissing himself at triple digits on his Ninja.

 

[amish]

i "learned" on a buick when i started to legally drive. it was a good car. power when you needed it, pretty decent fuel economy, it was somewhat large (i'd feel safer in that than any subcompact), and it was ugly as sin. it wasn't going to win any awards or races but it got me from A to B and handled a northern indiana winter pretty well.

nice options could be found for the price you quoted.

i actually did get into an accident with my buick the second year i had it. i got into a 15 mph "crash" because i wasn't paying attention. i hit a lifted s-10 blazer and it crumpled my hood. unfortunately it was surprisingly exensive to fix. the rest of the maintenace was pretty cheap though.

 

[mvbighead]

You have to be very lucky finding a 3-5k car that isn't a maintenance nightmare. Some people have more time than others. Others just want to pay to play.

Regardless of your opinion...the OP is looking in the 12-13k range, which in my opinion is a good budget.

One of my best friends in high school had a 1985.5 Supra as a first car (same year they came out) then a 328 Ferrari, 930 Porsche Turbo, a Testarossa, and a couple high end crotch rockets. All by the time he graduated. He didn't wreck any. Although he ended up pissing himself at triple digits on his Ninja.

You are aware that the mom of this 16 year old is driving an 11 year old Toyota Sequoia, right? I don't think a Porsche, Ferrari, or anything of the like is in this kid's future.

Also, a 12k budget for a kid car when the parent's car is worth a mere 10k in itself is pretty idiotic. I could see your little debate if we're talking about a mom whose daily driver is a 2011 Porsche/Benz/etc, but this sounds much more like the average American soccer mom. 12k could be put in a lot better places than her son's first vehicle. Something like, oh, I dunno, a start to a college education?

 

[ViviTheMage]

1996 civic